Apple has sold over 275 million iPods
since it was first introduced back in 2001. Today, Apple is
introducing a new family of iPods to help keep the winning streak
alive.

First up is the next generation iPod
shuffle. The new iPod shuffle, has the look and buttons of the second
generation device and voiceover from the third generation. Battery
life is rated at 15 hours. The fourth generation iPod shuffle is a
little smaller than the second generation model and comes in five
different colors. It will be available for $49 in 2GB capacities.

The new iPad nano, as predicted by case
leaks over the past week, is a tiny multi-touch capable device. It
has a clip (like the iPod shuffle), hardware volume buttons,
VoiceOver, FM radio, Nike+, and a pedometer. The new device is 46
percent smaller and 42 percent lighter. Battery life is listed at 24 hours. Unfortunately, the downsizing
of the iPad nano has resulted in the loss of the onboard camera (and apparently, the loss of video playback).

Being that this is a multi-touch
device, all of Apple's familiar gestures are applicable to the
device. The iPad nano will be available for $149 in an 8GB version
and $179 in the 16GB version.

Finally, there is a new iPod touch that
is even thinner than the old version introduced last year. Like its
iPhone 4 counterpart, it comes with the Retina display along with the
Apple A4 processor, 3-axis gyro, front facing camera for FaceTime
(over Wi-Fi), and a rear camera for HD video recording and photo
taking. The new device promises 40 hours of battery life and will be
available in 8GB ($229), 32GB ($299), and 64GB ($399) capacities.

If there's anything disappointing about
the new iPod lineup, it's that Apple hasn't bothered to upgrade the
storage capacity of any of its media players in addition to the neutering of the iPod nano. It appears that Apple is trying to push more customers to the iPod touch (which Apple admits is currently the best-selling iPod).

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Agreed. I am disappointed that they kept touch cpacities and prices the same and added dumb features for a PMP like the video 'calling' thing. I guess the timing wasn't right but since Apple has to stick to 'their schedule' unlike other CE device makers who just release stuff when they want to there wasn't a chance of getting the new (or near future) process shrunk flash memory in them.

I would have actually seriously considered an iPod Touch 128GB at $400 if it had 3G month-to-month like the iPad (VoIP would make it a possible cell phone replacement too :))and none of the other crap they added and I *really* don't like the way Apple does stuff. Due to the timing I expect that just about every other CE maker will have doubled capacity/$ in the winter or early next year. Maybe Apple will too, or maybe they'll just sneak in those chips and up their margins. If the latter, too bad Apple, no sale.